Ateneo - UPO

The first part of the course introduces students to basic tools widely used in microeconomics for the analysis of: 1. the rational choices of consumers and firms; 2. the characteristics and mechanisms of a perfectly competitive market; 3. the characteristics and mechanisms of a monopoly, oligopoly and monopolistic competition market structure.

Besanko and Braeutigam (2024), Microeconomia, V ed., McGraw-Hill.

The objective of the course is to provide basic tools for the analysis and the understanding of the main microeconomic mechanisms which characterize: 1. the rational choices of consumers and firms. 2. how markets behave. This course introduces the students to the basic concepts and principles required to analyse and discuss an economic model and its application. This knowledge has to be conceived as a prerequisite for the development of positive and normative judgements on economic problems and economic policy issues.

Knowledge of the basic tools of mathematical analysis

Lectures

Further information can be found in the web page of the course at the URL: https://www.dir.uniupo.it/

It is a written examination. The exam consists in multiple choice questions. The final grade is expressed in thirtieths and has to be equal or greater than 18/30. Within an academic year, students cannot sit more than three exams. The exam lasts 30 minutes.

Ch. 1 Problems of economic analysis
Chap. 2 Supply and demand
Ch. 3 Consumer preferences and the concept of utility
Ch. 4 Consumer choice theory
Ch. 5 The theory of demand
Ch. 6 Production theory
Ch. 7 Costs and cost minimisation
Ch. 8 Cost curves
Ch. 9 Perfect competition
Ch. 10 Competitive markets: Applications
Ch. 11 Monopoly
Ch. 12 Price discrimination and advertising
Ch. 13 Game theory and strategic behaviour
Ch. 14 Market structure and competition

The development of positive and normative judgements on economic problems and economic policy issues.